A sentimental song about Christmas. This version is taken from the Australian 'Ready For This?' DVD. Every year, all proceeds from the sale of (either version of) this song during the months of November, December and January, go to an organisation which supports children and/or adults on the autism spectrum. This year, 2024, that will be Aspect in Australia.Tim Minchin
When I was a kid Christmas was a pretty was a pretty religious celebration for my family. I remember being unbearably bored during Mass on Christmas Eve and thinking about all the fun I was missing not being with my cousins at Grandma’s.
After mass we would go to my grandparent’s house where the whole, huge, family would get together to spend time and have dinner. My cousins would bring their presents to unwrap after midnight. My presents did not leave home because I knew I was going to get socks, a sweater or something practical and boring like that.
Even before I arrived to the family, my dad had decided not to lie to us about Santa Claus. We always knew that my parents were to thank for the gifts, and although as I said, they were never very exiting, we were thankful to get them.
As the years passed Christmas evolved from being a religious thing to being a time to be grateful for having a pretty comfortable life and to spend quality time with our family.
I do no longer believe in gods and Christmas has completely lost its religious underpinnings but it is still a very special time of the year for me. Although my parents are gone and I live far away from my family, Christmas awakens memories of the good old times and reminds me of how lucky I was to get the parents I got.
Every time I listen to White Wine in the Sun I can’t help but get teary eyed and be thankful for having had parents that always put their children first.
White Wine in the Sun lyrics
Verse 1
I really like Christmas
It's sentimental, I know, but I just really like it
I am hardly religious
I'd rather break bread with Dawkins than Desmond Tutu, to be honest
And yes, I have all of the usual objections
To consumerism
To the commercialisation of an ancient religion
To the westernisation of a dead Palestinian
Press-ganged into selling PlayStations and beer
But I still really like it
I'm looking forward to Christmas
Though I'm not expecting a visit from Jesus
Chorus
I'll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum
They'll be drinking white wine in the sun
I'll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum
They'll be drinking white wine in the sun
Verse 2
I don't go in for ancient wisdom
I don't believe just 'cause ideas are tenacious, it means that they're worthy
I get freaked out by churches
Some of the hymns that they sing have nice chords, but the lyrics are dodgy
And yes, I have all of the usual objections
To the miseducation of children who, in tax-exempt institutions
Are taught to externalise blame and to feel ashamed
And to judge things as plain right or wrong
But I quite like the songs
I'm not expecting big presents
The old combination of socks, jocks and chocolates is just fine by me
Chorus
'Cause I'll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum
They'll be drinking white wine in the sun
I'll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum
They'll be drinking white wine in the sun
Verse 3
And you, my baby girl
My jetlagged infant daughter
You'll be handed 'round the room like a puppy at a primary school
And you won't understand, but you will learn someday
That wherever you are and whatever you face
These are the people who'll make you feel safe in this world
My sweet blue-eyed girl
And if, my baby girl, when you're twenty-one or thirty-one
And Christmas comes around
And you find yourself nine thousand miles from home
You'll know what ever comes
Chorus
Your brothers and sisters and me and your mum
Will be waiting for you in the sun
Whenever you come
Your brothers and sisters, your aunts and your uncles
Your grandparents, cousins and me and your mum
We'll be waiting for you in the sun
Drinking white wine in the sun
Darling, when Christmas comes
We'll be waiting for you in the sun
Drinking white wine in the sun
Waiting for you in the sun
Waiting for you
Waiting
Outro
I really like Christmas
It's sentimental, I know